Morocco’s old imperial city of Meknes is filled with beautiful architecture. As you enjoy unhurried sightseeing and hassle-free shopping in the souks, take some time out to unwind with a famous Moroccan tea. As with many places in Morocco, dedicated tea rooms aren’t all that common. Many Moroccans love one type of tea only, and that’s the omnipresent mint tea. You’ll definitely have no problems finding somewhere to savor a mint tea; it’s on the menu everywhere, is served in most hotels and riads, and is sometimes offered by sellers as an enticement to browse their goods. Here are some of the best places for a pot of tea in Meknes.
A café/restaurant that also functions as a tearoom, L’Aviation is a modern establishment with contemporary designs and comfortable furnishings. It serves an assortment of drinks as well as just tea. Its location, next to a filling station alongside the N13, makes it a good choice for people to take a rest when driving into or out of the city.
Cornette Palace is a multi-level venue with both a café-cum-teahouse and a fancy restaurant. Breakfast is especially popular here, though you can enjoy a meal at any time of the day in the restaurant. Beautifully decorated with plasterwork, colorful tiles, artwork, and other traditional designs, it’s more upmarket than a regular café. Outside seating is available if you want to enjoy the fresh air as you sip your pot of mint tea.
A small restaurant with an open kitchen, the owner is happy to chat with customers while making their food and drinks. Serving a basic menu, all dishes are home-cooked according to traditional recipes. You don’t have to eat to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere, though; you’re more than welcome to call in for a pot of tea in the lovely surroundings. You could also order a plate of traditional pastries to go with your drink for a real treat.
Located between Meknes’s neighborhoods of Sbata and Quartier el Mansour, Rizana is a fairly large café/teahouse with both indoor and outdoor pavement-side seating. The spacious interiors are bright and airy. Whether you’re hankering for mint tea or craving a caffeine-laden coffee fix, Rizana has an assortment of hot and cold drinks to suit diverse tastes and moods. There’s also an onsite bakery, perfect for picking up some freshly made cakes and pastries, and a selection of typical Moroccan meals are also served.
A recent addition to Meknes’s café and teahouse scene, Veranda is modern and inviting. The tubs of red and white flowers outside perfectly complement the red and white exterior. Open until midnight, the upper floor of the large café has a big TV where sports are often aired. The other floors offer peace and quiet, and there’s also a roof terrace with nice views. Accompany your drink with a pastry, ice cream, or a traditional Moroccan meal.
Located on Avenue Zitoune, Cafe Segtan is a popular choice with locals. Order a pot of Moroccan tea and relax as you watch scenes of local life unfolding all around. The interior lighting is especially atmospheric in the evening times, and the terrace and garden are both pleasant places to sit in the sunshine.
Located within the fancy Zaki Hotel in Meknes, Le Patio is a beautiful outdoor terrace that is used as a tearoom. Order a drink and enjoy splendid views of the hotel’s pools and gardens and relax in the soothing atmosphere. Coffees, juices, sodas, and other drinks are available as well.
Rosalie is another cozy establishment for a drink in Meknes. Located close to many of the city’s major tourist sights, it could be a great place to take a breather and recharge your batteries during a busy day of sightseeing. It’s just a short stroll from Place El Hedim and the marvelous Bab Mansour gate.
Cafe Amazigh is a lively local tea and coffee house in Meknes. You can often find teas here that aren’t available in other nearby tearooms, including the black HarSha tea. A basic selection of meals are served too. The intimate upper area is ideal for cozy tête-à-têtes, and the small TV often shows popular sports. The larger downstairs area has a large TV to make sure that you don’t miss any of the action during a game.
A nice place to relax with friends, Cafe des Stars is another top teahouse-cum-café in Meknes. Located in the Hay Essalem part of the city, guests can enjoy their drink outside or indoors. As well as the regular café-style tables and chairs there are some comfortable armchairs.
